From time to time, many schemes and programmes are introduced by the government to offer help and aid to the citizens. Launched by the Government of India, the One Nation One Ration Card scheme provides the benefits to all ration card holders covered under National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 so that they can enjoy their entitlements anywhere in India.Â
Before the launch of ONORC, beneficiaries could only buy food grains, at a subsidised rate, only from the Public Distribution System. The system created quite a few concerns for migrants who were living in other cities. The conversion of regular ration cards to the One Nation One Ration Card has brought major relief to the very large migrant population in the country. Let us understand this scheme in detail.Â
What is a One Nation One Ration Card Scheme?
ONORC is a technology-driven initiative that has been conceptualised by our honourable Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi. The scheme takes into account the problem faced by numerous migrant workers of the country as they will now be able to avail government benefits and get ration from any destination they are working at.Â
This scheme also extends to the family members of the migrant workers as they will also be allowed to claim the balance of foodgrains on the same ration card. The scheme was first rolled out in four states on a pilot basis in 2019. By January 2020, 12 more states were added to this scheme. In Budget 2021, Smt Nirmala Sitharam, Finance Minister, announced that the One Nation One Ration Card was being implemented in 32 states and Union Territories.Â
The Aim of the One Nation One Ration Card Scheme
The problems like- getting a new ration card or duplicity of beneficiaries would be solved and the family members will be able to get the foodgrains just by submitting their Aadhaar number at the government facility.Â
The initiative of the government in the direction of helping the weaker section and empowering the poor is expected to have benefited around 77 crore people across the country, up to March 2022. The scheme will enable the beneficiaries to take their share of foodgrains from anywhere in India.
A Step in the Right Direction
This scheme empowers migrant workers. The benefit of subsidised food grains now travels with them, the legit beneficiaries can now access the subsidies and prevent any type of pilferage and wrongful exclusions. The workers do not need to carry their ration cards physically to get the benefit of the PDS scheme. They simply can avail the benefit by quoting their ration card number or Aadhaar card number at the shop of their choice. The government has extended the benefit of this scheme rather than providing cash to the beneficiaries, as the money may not be used for the intended purpose. Â
The One Nation One Card scheme allows all beneficiaries of NFSA and ration cardholders to claim either the entire part or a share of it from any Fair Price Shop, FPS located anywhere across the country through their existing ration card or with biometric authentication in an easy manner, without any hassle. Â
